21 Jul 2014

Fanning wins J-Bay WCT surf title

1:54 pm on 21 July 2014

Mick Fanning reignited his world surfing championship defence with victory in the sixth event of the year, the J-Bay Open.

Fanning beat good friend and former champion Joel Parkinson 17 points to 13.60 in the final as Australians claimed the top four placings in South Africa.

Parkinson earlier snared a perfect 10-point ride as he accounted for Matt Wilkinson 18.83 to 15.54 in the semi-finals in flawless two- to three-metre surf.

Fanning won his semi 17 to 12.50 over Owen Wright, who had beaten Brazil's championship leader, Gabriel Medina, in the quarter-finals.

Both Queenslanders jumped up the rankings, Fanning climbing five spots to third and Parkinson improving three places to sit behind leader Medina.

With five events remaining the Brazilian has 36,150 points, Parkinson 34,400, Fanning 32,650 and beaten quarter-finalist Taj Burrow 31,950.

Eleven-time champion American Kelly Slater had his worst result of the year, equal 13th, and dropped three places to sit sixth in the rankings 30,350 points.

The next event is in Tahiti from August 15.